Long Lane with Turnings

Long Lane with Turnings collects essays and articles from L.J.K. Setright's decades-long career writing about automobiles and transportation. The pieces span from the 1960s through the early 2000s, originally appearing in publications like Car Magazine and other automotive journals. The book presents Setright's technical insights about engines, aerodynamics, and automotive engineering alongside cultural observations about cars in society. Technical topics are interspersed with discussions of music, literature, philosophy, and the changing nature of transportation over the 20th century. Writing with an engineer's precision and a cultural critic's breadth, Setright examines how cars shaped modern life while also exploring the machines themselves. His work stands as both automotive journalism and social commentary about an era defined by the rise of the automobile. The collected works reveal larger truths about humanity's relationship with technology and mechanization, using cars as a lens to examine progress, art, and civilization itself. Through detailed technical analysis and broader cultural reflection, the essays build into a unique philosophy of transportation and human achievement.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of L.J.K. Setright's overall work: Readers consistently praise Setright's deep technical knowledge and unique writing style, though many note his work requires focused attention to follow. His prose combines engineering precision with cultural observations and historical context. What readers liked: - Detailed mechanical explanations made complex topics clear - Integration of social history with technical content - Original perspectives on automotive development - Rich vocabulary and literary references What readers disliked: - Dense, academic writing style can be challenging - Sometimes meanders from main topics - Occasional perceived condescension toward readers - Limited illustrations in technical sections From Amazon/Goodreads: "Drive On!" averages 4.3/5 stars (42 reviews) "The Power to Fly" averages 4.1/5 stars (28 reviews) Reader quote: "Reading Setright is like attending a fascinating lecture by a brilliant professor who occasionally forgets his audience isn't as knowledgeable as he is." - Amazon reviewer Criticism quote: "Brilliant insights buried in overwrought prose. Needs an editor with a machete." - Goodreads review

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🏁 L.J.K. Setright was known for his eccentric writing style, often incorporating references to classical literature, philosophy, and music while discussing automotive topics. 🔧 The author was famously particular about his writing instruments, composing all his work using fountain pens filled with Pelikan Blue-Black ink. 📚 Despite being one of the most respected automotive journalists of his time, Setright never learned to drive until he was 35 years old. 🌟 The book's title "Long Lane with Turnings" is taken from Francis Bacon's essay "Of Travel," reflecting Setright's intellectual approach to automotive journalism. 🏭 Throughout his career, Setright was particularly fascinated by Honda's engineering philosophy and was one of the first Western journalists to recognize the company's technical innovations, which he discusses extensively in the book.